The 40' Schooner "BENROGIN"
Copyright 1999 Michael
Kasten
Hull Form
This vessel was inspired by a combination of other designs. The
rig came from Redpath, the general hull form was a rounded steel hull
prototype I had developed, but with a counter stern. In this case, the
choice was made to pursue a transom hung rudder for the ease of using a
steering vane.
One requirement was that she be easy to plate. This was made possible by
using a shape which can be plated with flat plate for around 80 percent of
the surface. The remaining plate at the turn of the bilge would be rolled to
fit. This is not to be confused with a "radius chine" hull type. Benrogin
is instead a true rounded hull. In my view, the result is far more
appealing, and it is no more trouble to build. The plates are arranged to
have "joggled seams." Each plate has a "jog" pressed into its lower edge all
along, so that it may overlap the plate below, and the plating may lie flush
on the frames throughout. This gives considerable grace for fit-up, and
being lined off nicely, looks just right.
Two versions were developed, both having a secure cockpit, tiller
steering, and an all steel hull. The first version has an all steel deck and
deck houses, with cold-molded wood house tops. The second version has all
teak decks and houses for the best combination of ultimate luxury and
ultimate strength.
Interior
The interior went through a few changes from one version to the
other. The essence of the change between them is that the guest berth was
moved from the 'midship site in the steel deck version, to the fo'c's'l in
order to create a separate, more spacious and private guest suite. This
moved the galley and the saloon aft some, making the galley a bit smaller,
and the saloon a bit larger.
Rig
Being a schooner, so able to spread plenty of sail area,
performance will be sufficient to do without big light weather sails. The
fisherman tops'l, though a light weather sail, is a real work horse. The
fisherman is easy to handle, and since it is up in the wind, it can do some
real good!
The rake of the masts is quite intentional. It keeps the booms out of the
water when sailing off the wind, and makes lowering sail very easy. Also,
the fore masthead is above the cabin top for loading a tender there. The
sail is laced to the mast, using a "forth and back" lacing line. With that,
there is no need for track, and the sail never binds. Loose footed sails
permit more sail area, and avoid any side load on the booms, allowing them
to be lighter and easier to handle.
The spars are all aluminum pipe. When painted, most people will see them
as being wooden spars. The aluminum pipe is considerably stronger than wood,
and is the same weight. The fittings are fully welded in place, so overall
cost is less to build, this combination being very quick to fabricate. The
aluminum spars will last longer and require less maintenance than any other
spar material.
A steering vane is not really a requirement, since the boat will self
steer very capably via a sheet-to-tiller arrangement, making use of the
forestays'l boom, a few blocks, some line, a bungee cord, and the tiller. A
great many sailors don't believe that this works. It does!!
What's the Ideal Sailing Rig...?
